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“Hi, I’m looking for Henrietta Wilson,” a voice calls into the firehouse. Everyone is in the loft, enjoying a couple moments of calm before their next call so they all move to look over the railing at the unfamiliar voice.
There’s a tall man on the first floor of the firehouse holding an enormous bouquet of flowers, bursting with color. The vase is even wrapped with a glittery pink ribbon.
Chim whistles, “Damn Hen, who’d you seduce to get those?”
The incredulous look that Hen throws at Chim is legendary. “That would be my wife, Chim.”
“Huh, well what occasion calls for a mini garden to be brought into the workplace? Your anniversary?”
Hen walks down the stairs to greet the delivery driver, first saying over her shoulder, “Our anniversary was three months ago, you and Maddie watched Denny and Mara for us so we could go out. How do you not remember that?”
“Well, a lot has happened since then…” Chim says sheepishly.
Everyone stills at the comment, flashes of the last couple months plaguing each of them. Losing Bobby, finding him alive, Bobby retiring for good, Eddie and Christopher moving back. It’s all been a lot. For the entire 118.
Buck pipes up, “Well, I think it’s sweet, no matter the occasion! That many flowers must’ve cost a fortune.”
Eddie, standing shoulder to shoulder with Buck, nods emphatically. “Yeah, that’s a declaration of love if I’ve ever seen one.”
Hen accepts the bouquet, thanking the driver and brings the gift back up to the loft. She sets it down on the long table and pulls out the card that was tucked between two orange lilies.
“Just because. I love you, Karen,” Hen reads.
Chim scoffs, “That’s a very impressive just because gift. Must be nice working with a rocket scientist’s salary, the rest of us fools have to get by with grocery store flowers.”
Hen rolls her eyes while Chim scrutinizes Buck and Eddie, who are still leaning up against the railing together, having turned to watch the whole display.
“Well, actually I guess it’s just me that’s buying the grocery store flowers since you two certainly aren’t buying gifts for anyone.” Chim says, pointing two fingers at Buck and Eddie.
“Okay, wildly hurtful and also how would you know who I am or am not buying gifts for?” Buck retorts.
“With your big mouth? I’d know within a day.” Chim responds.
“My big mouth is good for more than just talking, you know.” Buck’s eyes bug out of his head the moment the words leave his mouth, realizing the innuendo too late. “Wait, wait, no, that’s not what I meant!”
His intentions for the comment are worthless, Chim and Hen are both doubled over in laughter and even Eddie is shaking slightly next to Buck, desperately trying to hold back a roar of laughter.
“We don’t need to know what your mouth is good for, Buck,” Hen barely manages to get the words out between laughs.
“Yeah bud, we could’ve guessed given how popular Buck 1.0 was,” Chim is breathless, holding onto the edge of the table to keep himself upright.
Buck is a flaming shade of red, the blush disappearing into the collar of his shirt.
“Yeah, whatever guys.” Buck says, clearly embarrassed.
Buck turns to look out over the firehouse again, propping his forearms up on the banister, to ignore his friends as they continue to giggle shamelessly at his expense.
Eventually, they all calm down and Hen and Chim start discussing the next Buckley-Han and Wilson playdate.
Once Eddie is able to contain his laughter, he turns around to match Buck, dangling his hands over the railing, gazing out at the fire engines.
The two stand there quietly for a couple minutes, just enjoying the other’s company.
“I don’t think anyone has ever bought me flowers unless I was in the hospital,” Buck whispers to Eddie. His voice is tinged with sadness.
Eddie hums in response, thinking for a moment.
“I think I’m in the same boat. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten non-get well soon flowers,” Eddie says thoughtfully.
“Kinda sad, you had a whole wedding once too.”
“Hey, I thought we were commiserating, don’t be an ass.” Eddie says, playfully nudging Buck’s shoulder.
Buck ducks his head and chuckles lightly. When he looks up, he stares into Eddie’s eyes, his expression much more solemn, a sad pout tugging on his lips, “I wish I had someone who would buy me just because flowers.”
Eddie finds himself in a small flower shop the next day.
Buck’s comment had been rattling around in his head for the last twenty-four hours. It baffled him that none of Buck’s exes had ever bothered to buy Buck something as simple as flowers and the frown on Buck’s face yesterday had been seared into Eddie’s memory.
Eddie had always wanted to see Buck happy, long before he understood the depth of his feelings for his best friend. What kind of person doesn’t want to see their best friend happy? But Texas had been illuminating for Eddie and his return to L.A. was accompanied by a lighter soul and a surety in his profound love for Buck.
The chaos of the last couple months had stalled Eddie’s plans to confess his feelings for Buck but it was finally time. Eddie had been working up the courage for so long and had played so many scenarios out in his head, it was actually starting to mess with Eddie’s mind.
So, flowers for Buck, because he’d never been given any unless he was mortally injured.
Eddie is deeply in thought, blankly staring at a large bundle of deep red roses, when the florist approaches him. Admittedly, he’s so absorbed with cursing all of Buck’s exes for being so inadequate that he doesn’t notice the woman walk up to him until she speaks, startling him.
“So, who’s the lucky lady?” The woman is standing to the left of Eddie, wearing a light brown canvas apron, her dark hair piled on top of her head in a frankly impressive display of balance.
“Uh… well, his name is Buck,” Eddie says dumbly. “And he’s my best friend.”
The woman flushes a pink color, “I’m so sorry, I should not have assumed.”
“There’s nothing to assume. Yet.” Eddie admits the last part quietly, ducking his head down.
“Ah, I see. Well, tell me about Buck, what kind of flowers does he want? What’s the occasion?”
Eddie rubs at the back of his neck, “There really isn’t an occasion, he told me he’s never gotten flowers before unless he’s in the hospital, which just really bummed me out. And I have no idea what kinds of flowers he would like. I guess I just walked in here and hoped something would feel right.”
Eddie is blabbing to this random woman but how could he not blab about Buck. He’s Buck.
“Okay, well what kind of message are you trying to send with the flowers? We certainly don’t have to get into the specifics of floral code but some bouquets are distinctly more… romantic,” she says, pointedly nodding to the dark red roses that Eddie had been staring off into.
Maybe one day, Eddie thinks.
“Oh… Uh… I-I. Hmm. I guess I just want to convey that he makes me happy.” Eddie sputters his way through the sentence. He’s anxious to finally ask Buck out but even suggesting to a stranger that he could love a man is still completely unfamiliar territory for Eddie.
“I can work with that. What about him makes you happy?” Eddie finally notices the nametag on her apron, where ‘Holly’ is printed.
A blush is starting to spread across Eddie’s face, it’s hard to not just blurt out that everything about Buck makes him happy. That wouldn’t exactly help with the whole buying flowers endeavor though.
“He’s the warmest person I know. His joy becomes my joy, it’s infectious. He’s caring and so considerate. He loves my son and my son loves him back. He’s like the human equivalent of a ray of sunshine. I guess, he’s just kind of the light of my life.” Eddie’s admission is heartfelt and perhaps a little misplaced. He almost wants to pull his phone out to write everything he just said down so he can repeat it to Buck.
Holly gives Eddie an enormous, knowing smile.
“I think I have the perfect thing for you, follow me,” Holly leads Eddie to the other side of the shop, to a section of stunning sunflowers. She grabs a bouquet from the set that has seven large sunflowers tucked between some delicate white flowers.
“I think the sunflowers are self-explanatory, given the way you describe him but the white flowers are baby’s breath. They often represent new beginnings and even… love.” Holly smiles up at Eddie, holding the bouquet out to him.
Eddie reaches out with slightly shaky hands and accepts the flowers.
With a soft smile curving Eddie’s lips, he says, “It’s perfect.”
Eddie had been standing in front of his mirror in his bedroom for a really long time. He’s been hyping himself up, practicing what he wants to say to Buck over and over, trying to shake off the nervous energy that’s causing him to shiver.
He’s ready to do this. It’s a coming out and an asking out, so the stakes are fairly high but even if Buck says no Eddie can die of mortification secure in the knowledge that Buck won’t make things weird.
He’s not going to say no , Eddie thinks. He doesn’t entirely believe this line of thinking but he can’t let himself spiral on thoughts of a rejection or he’s going to be stuck in this holding pattern forever, never actually taking the leap to ask Buck out.
Eddie had returned home from the shop about an hour ago, quickly moving through the house to hide the bouquet in the bedroom. The bedroom that Eddie and Buck were currently taking turns using since Buck never moved out. If all goes well, Buck won’t ever move out and they’ll start actually sharing the bed. Together.
The thought sends a flutter of excitement and nerves shooting through Eddie’s blood.
Buck is off grocery shopping, something he became the arbiter of early into living together because the man has more opinions on types of cooking oils and freshness of fruit than anyone should have, frankly. Eddie didn’t even really realize there was more than canola and olive oil, an admission that had caused Buck to shake his head in disappointment.
The memory causes Eddie to smile. That’s something he does a lot more around Buck, even just the memory of Buck often causes a fond grin to take over his face.
Eddie stares at himself in the mirror, adjusting his hair again. Buck had once mentioned he liked this little hair that would fall down in front of Eddie’s forehead so he had made sure his hair was just that little bit disheveled for this conversation.
Eddie had a plan, he was going to present the flowers to Buck, ask him out, and field any questions that were sure to follow. Chris knew Eddie was gay, he was the first and only person who Eddie had told to this point, but Eddie had been keeping this realization close to his chest so far. It felt right that Buck was the second person to know.
Well, third now if Holly counts.
But either way, Buck will be one of the first people to know.
Eddie is practicing holding the bouquet, studying where his hands should go on the vase that he bought and placed the flowers into when he hears the front door open.
“Home!” Buck shouts into the house. Buck calling this place home has giddy laughter bubbling up from Eddie’s chest.
Eddie cracks the bedroom door open to call back, “Welcome back! I’m in the bedroom, I’ll be out in just a second to help you put groceries away!”
“Okay!” Buck replies happily, elongating the ‘a’ in the word so it sounds almost sing-songy.
Eddie closes the door, turns backs to the mirror for one more quick glance, and takes a deep and steadying breath.
It’s going to be okay.
With all the courage he can muster in the world, Eddie steps out of the bedroom and heads to the kitchen, holding the sunflowers out in front of him.
Buck has his back turned to Eddie when he steps over the threshold, furiously digging around in the grocery bags sitting on the counter.
“Hey Buck,” Eddie says slightly breathlessly.
Buck turns around, an enormous grin already on his face, “Hi Edd– Oh!” Eddie can see the moment the flowers register in Buck’s mind, his face lighting up even more.
They stare at each other for a beat before Buck says, “Oh wow, those are beautiful! Who’re they for?”
“You,” Eddie says simply. “Buck, I’d buy you a lot of just because flowers if you let me. Can I take you on a date?”
Buck’s jaw falls open and he drops the box of pasta he was holding, it making a horrible racket as it clatters to the floor.
“Eddie, what? Are you serious?” Buck looks shellshocked, his eyes impossibly wide, his mouth still hanging open.
“Yeah, I’m serious. I–I uh did a lot of soul searching in Texas and realized two really huge things about myself. I’m gay and I would truly like to take you on a date.” Eddie is really proud of how steady his voice is through his confession.
Buck rounds the kitchen counter, approaching Eddie but stopping a few feet in front of him.
Buck’s mouth is moving but no sound is coming out, resembling a gasping fish which Eddie finds terribly endearing.
“Y-yes, oh my god, yes!” Buck finally stammers out.
“Yeah?” Eddie asks bashfully.
The smile on Buck’s face is unrivaled, soothing some of the anticipatory anxiety Eddie was feeling.
“I can’t believe this is happening, oh my god. And you’re like totally sure? To confirm, you want to take me out on a romantic date?” Buck is nearly vibrating, his hands gesturing between them, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
“Yes, Buck. I want to take you out on a romantic date. And I really want to do this right because… well, uh, I want this one to stick…” The truth settles between them and Eddie realizes that might be a little intense to share before they’ve even gone on one date but he doesn’t have time to worry about scaring Buck off because Buck is crushing Eddie in a hug.
Eddie lets out a surprised yelp as Buck envelopes him in his arms. Buck is warm. And big. Eddie nuzzles into his neck and breathes an enormous sigh of relief.
“Eddie, I think this might be the best day of my life.” Buck says into his hair.
Eddie chuckles at that, “I haven’t even taken you on the date yet, Buck!”
“I know. Then that day will be the best day of my life,” Buck replies.
“Damn, no pressure or anything,” Eddie pulls out of the embrace, realizing that the bouquet was slightly squashed between them.
Buck catches Eddie’s eye and says with conviction, “Anything we do will be perfect.”
Eddie ducks his head, a blush blooming across his cheeks.
“Okay. But I promise to plan something good.”
“I know you will.”
They’re quiet for a moment, both of the men standing close, searching each other’s faces.
“Well, these are hopefully the first of many flowers,” Eddie holds the bouquet out to Buck.
Buck seems a little dazed, his eyes registering on the flowers again.
“These are gorgeous, thank you,” Buck takes the flowers from Eddie, pausing a moment before continuing, “It really means a lot to me that you listened to me and went out of your way to get me these.”
“I’ll always listen to you, Buck.” Eddie tentatively raises a hand and caresses Buck’s cheek when he doesn’t move away.
Eddie meticulously plans their first date. They have two days off together the following week and Eddie arranges for Chris to spend the night with the Wilsons.
He takes Buck to a really nice Italian restaurant and has to stop himself from drooling on the tablecloth when Buck’s dark blue button up pulls across his shoulders and his chest.
They have an incredible meal and it’s so easy. Everything with Buck is easy. Conversation flows between them, they know so much about each other but Eddie is elated to learn a completely different side of Buck. Their ankles rest against each other under the table throughout their meal.
But the main event is the garden. Eddie found a botanical garden near Long Beach, one with a huge diversity of plants and even a butterfly habitat.
They walk the grounds hand in hand, Buck rattling off facts about any of the plants and flowers he recognizes. Eddie is so deeply in love with this man, the surety of it is a comforting warmth in Eddie’s body after so many years of holding himself back and compartmentalizing himself. It’s freeing to love Buck.
Their first kiss is shared in a secluded spot of the garden, haloed by fragrant bright red flowers that Eddie hardly notices. Buck’s large hand cradles Eddie’s jaw as they both experience what will surely be their last first kiss.
Eddie has never experienced joy like this. There’s a swooping feeling in his stomach when Buck moves his hand to the back of Eddie’s neck, deepening the kiss. No one has ever touched Eddie with such adoration, it’s utterly addicting.
They both pull back from the kiss, resting their foreheads against one another, breathing deeply.
“So, how’d I do? Best day of your life?” Eddie murmurs into the tiny space between them.
“You have no idea,” Buck says with a smile.
When they make love for the first time a couple days later, a bouquet of pink peonies sits vigil on the dresser, in the room that quickly became theirs .
They’re slow and sweet in the act, sex never having really been either for both men. Every movement and moan a declaration of devotion. They have all the time in the world for the hungry, lustful sex that they both crave but tonight is a night for worship.
Earnest I love yous are uttered between waves of pleasure.
Eddie is certain Buck is the love of his life.
Two years after their first date Edmundo Diaz and Evan Buckley get married.
It’s a gorgeous late summer morning, all of their loved ones in attendance. Tears are already flowing when Maddie walks Buck down the aisle.
They both wrote their own vows, affirming their profound love for each other for all to see. Buck has to give Eddie's hand a reassuring squeeze when he chokes up halfway through his speech.
Bobby asks for the rings, which they exchange with shaky hands, watery smiles plastered on their faces.
Before Bobby can proclaim them husband and husband Eddie turns to Chris, his best man, and accepts the single, dark red rose Chris has had hidden in his tuxedo. Eddie turns back to Buck and gently presents the flower.
A small gasp escapes Buck’s lips. His fingers tremble as he reaches out to hold the flower, their hands overlapping on the stem.
“The first time I bought you flowers I saw a bouquet made of these same roses and was told it was a deeply romantic bouquet. I think some part of me knew that we’d end up here because I told myself one day I’d buy them for you. I will spend the rest of my life buying you romantic red roses and just because flowers. I’ll love you forever, Buck.”